Federal High Court Sets June 20 Deadline for Manual Case Filing as E-Filing Goes Live in Lagos
In a major shift towards digital justice delivery, the Federal High Court Headquarters has announced that manual filing of new cases in its Lagos Judicial Division will officially end on June 20, 2025. From June 23, 2025, all new cases must be filed electronically via the court’s newly deployed e-filing platform.
The announcement was made public on Thursday, June 4, through a formal statement titled “NOTICE TO LAWYERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC”, signed by the court’s Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Amida Hassan, Esq.
This development marks a significant step in the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to modernize operations and improve access to justice in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
E-Filing Takes Center Stage
According to the statement, the e-filing system will become the default method for initiating legal proceedings in the Lagos division from Monday, June 23, 2025. Legal practitioners are therefore expected to complete all manual filings before Friday, June 20.
“All cases instituted prior to the go-live date shall continue to be processed manually until judgment is delivered and those matters are finally disposed of,” the notice clarified.
To encourage accurate filings and deter abuse of the system, the court emphasized that any legal practitioner who understates claims or misrepresents the number or type of documents filed, leading to underpayment of fees, will be liable to pay the balance along with a ₦10,000 penalty for each violation.
Legal Mail, E-Affidavits & Registration Requirements
To use the new digital system, every legal practitioner must have a valid Legal Mail account, which serves as a unique digital identity for filing documents and receiving court communication.
Lawyers are encouraged to apply for Legal Mail through the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) portal at https://nigerianbar.ng.
For documents that require oaths, practitioners must use the court’s dedicated e-affidavit platform at https://affidavit.courts.gov.ng. Importantly, deponents must still appear physically before a Commissioner for Oaths for the administration of the oath, even if the documents are submitted online.
Law firms are also required to upload relevant Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents during the creation of their chambers’ profile on the e-filing platform.
Training and Support for Legal Community
To ensure a smooth transition to the digital system, the Federal High Court has planned a two-day interactive training session on how to use the e-filing platform. The sessions will take place between June 16 and June 20, with final details about time and venue to be communicated in due course.
The Court has also made instructional video tutorials available on YouTube via the JITPO-com channel, and these resources will also be shared with lawyers via WhatsApp groups.
“All legal practitioners are enjoined to be guided accordingly and ensure strict compliance,” the Chief Registrar emphasized.
Background: From Manual to Digital Filing
This shift follows the introduction of Practice Directions for Electronic Affidavits (E-Affidavits) on June 11, 2024, under the leadership of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. The goal of the directive was to enhance data protection and streamline affidavit submission in a secure, user-friendly environment.
Approved under Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the directive paved the way for broader digitization efforts—including the full deployment of e-filing systems.
What This Means for Legal Practice in Lagos
The transition to electronic filing is poised to enhance efficiency, reduce paperwork, and cut down long wait times often associated with manual processes. It is also expected to significantly improve transparency and the accuracy of court records.
While the court has provided support tools to ease the transition, legal practitioners are urged to act swiftly to ensure they are adequately equipped for the new filing regime.
With Lagos leading the way, similar reforms may soon roll out across other judicial divisions, signaling a new era for Nigeria’s justice system.
